| What is alcoholism really? Here is some information | | | | it. First, if you are drinking every day, it is doubtful that |
| that will dispel some of the myths about how | | | | you are not physically addicted, but more importantly, |
| alcoholism works, and how it will affect your life. Your | | | | this concept completely ignores the tremendous |
| normal drinker can enjoy a mixed drink or a glass of | | | | emotional addiction aspect of drinking. And some of |
| wine, or maybe two or three. A person who has | | | | these daily drinkers will tell you the job was the last |
| become an alcoholic generally can't stop drinking once | | | | thing to go. Drinking daily may put you in the alcoholic |
| they get started, drink heavy volume, and it will affect | | | | category. |
| their life in a somewhat predictable way if the drinking | | | | Binge Drinking |
| continues. | | | | The habit of occasionally drinking very large quantities |
| The Myths about Alcoholism | | | | of alcohol is considered binge drinking. Contrary to |
| There is information everywhere written by people not | | | | popular belief, binge drinking can be an ongoing |
| genuinely qualified to define or describe alcoholism. If | | | | occurrence throughout a person's entire life. It is not |
| they haven't experienced it themselves, they are just | | | | limited to high school or college years. Binge drinking |
| collecting information, guessing for the most part of | | | | has no age limit. And after a person has been binge |
| what alcoholism really is and what it entails, from a | | | | drinking for years and years, starting when they were |
| strictly "outside" point of view. | | | | young in most cases, could also be considered an |
| And the truth of the matter is alcohol isn't just a | | | | alcoholic. |
| physical addiction that can be driven out of your body | | | | The Need to Drink |
| in 72 hours (which is standard thinking on the subject) | | | | Alcoholism has gray areas, but when you reach that |
| which in itself is a myth - closer to a year would be the | | | | point where drinking is affecting your life in an adverse |
| truth, and further is also an incredibly powerful | | | | way, you are going to know you have a problem. One |
| emotional addiction. This emotional addiction routinely | | | | major sign is you have an overwhelming need to drink. |
| reaches the point where you cannot picture your life | | | | There is no way to win when you are up against |
| without alcohol. | | | | alcohol no matter how strong or disciplined you are. |
| Alcohol Abuse | | | | The best possible alcoholic scenario is if you are a |
| There are some descriptions of alcohol abuse where | | | | highly functioning alcoholic, and can pull it off for |
| alcohol abuse is defined as a person who drinks | | | | decades. However, alcohol still takes its toll here, as it |
| regularly, but who also maintains their responsibilities, | | | | does in every single case with no exception. As a |
| while at the same time occasionally putting themselves | | | | highly functional drinker, when you drink every day, the |
| in jeopardy for example by driving under the influence, | | | | alcohol will affect your health (your vital organs) and |
| and sometimes drinking large quantities. Anyone who | | | | will cause liver and brain damage. |
| drinks everyday, even if it is controlled drinking is most | | | | So what "experts" who don't have a drinking problem |
| likely alcoholic unless it is for instance a drink before | | | | don't understand (among other things) is once alcohol |
| dinner. | | | | gets you it takes over your life - physically and |
| There are alcoholics who are highly functional with | | | | emotionally. You have a need to drink, and the longer |
| controlled drinking for decades, making it to work | | | | you drink, the greater the need. You learn to rely on |
| everyday, possibly holding a highly responsible job for | | | | alcohol, and in the beginning it doesn't disappoint, but as |
| instance. Conventional thinking on this is if you drink | | | | the problem grows alcohol turns on you, and becomes |
| everyday, you still may not be physically dependant on | | | | a very personal, formidable enemy. |